Discussions By Condition: Medical Stories

psoriasis and possible arthritis?

For a while now the joint on my left middle finger (middle) has been noticeably larger than my right hand but nothing extreme. One would have to see them side by side and have me say, “Hey. Look.” It has no pain or stiffness either.

In addition, a few months ago I was diagnosed by a dermatologist as having possible psoriasis. However, the patch was small, too small for him to be 100% sure.

As of yesterday I was washing paint off of my hand and noticed my middle left finger, the one with the slightly enlarged joint, had three divots in them and not deep. The divots are hard to see if light does not shine on them.

In the past I have had fluid in knees but that was 12 years ago and I lifted lots of weights back then and ran a lot. It hasn't come back. I have also had some random joint pain here and there but it always went away and nothing that made me think.

I called my dermatologist and he said that I should just keep an eye out and wait and see what happens with the psoriasis and monitor my fingers.

My questions are:

Should I ask my PCP to refer me to a rheumatoid specialist to check me out?

Do divots in the nails with psoriasis automatically mean psoriatic arthritis?

Is it best to wait it out?

I just want to be proactive in my own health care and take the appropriate preventive measures without going overboard.